Elite Mountain Bikes For Amateur And Professional Mountain Bike Racers

For the casual cyclist, mountain biking is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors as well as get a great work out. Today, mountain biking is growing rapidly into an excitingly popular sport. With that growth arises an entirely new subculture of mountain bikers who race professionally.

Every year there are hundreds of events and races organized across the nation for mountain bike enthusiasts. These endurance races are generally for those in the absolute top percentage of mountain bikers. It takes a certain amount of conditioning and performance to compete in endurance races as the competition itself is so demanding. There are plenty of different categories, but these races can be as long as 12 hours, taxing the limits of human endurance.

Types of Races

Of the many categories of endurance races, most are beyond the scope of normal cyclists’ physical limits. Starting at three hours these races only scale upwards, reaching six or even twelve hours in length. The shorter three hour races are separated by gender and occasionally by age groups, but the longer races often open up to include both genders and all age groups.

There are numerous formats for endurance races as well. Some races are strictly solo races such as the shorter races. However, as they get longer, endurance races include all combinations of team work and trade off riding, with teams of up to four riders.

Endurance races are highly organized much like the marathons many of the nation’s major cities hold annually and require registration and occasionally physicals. In addition to assuring the participants are physically capable of participating, these events often require a demonstration of certain safety equipment that meets particular regulations.

Safety Measures

Safety is probably the most important thing organizers see to when there is a race. In addition to making sure each rider is in acceptable physical condition and has the proper gear, mountain bikes themselves are often checked to ensure they are in top shape, with fully aired tires, tightened handlebars, and properly adjusted frames and shocks.

Prohibited materials on the bike are also carefully watched. Such prohibited materials include reflectors, kickstands, adjustable hubs, sound frames, true wheels and any personal media devices. All of these items are checked for and expected to be removed before the race starts.

Finding Endurance Races

Endurance mountain biking is a high level addition to the sport of mountain biking. For that reason, if you are interested in getting involved, you should try and contact your local mountain biking association or club. They’ll have all the information you need to not only train for and prepare your bike for competition but the rules associated with the sport. There are numerous websites out there that cater to the crowd of endurance mountain bikers if you are looking for more information.

For anyone who has just gotten into mountain biking endurance racing might be a bit too much for you yet. However, you’ll find that in time you’ll be looking for a bit more of a challenge, and these longer more intense races might be just the thing you’re looking for to push your limits and test your physical conditioning. If you’re serious about endurance racing, take the time necessary to research and get in the shape necessary to compete in these races.

Article Source: http://articlekarma.com

Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor sports magazines and a contributing writer for angel paintball guns specializing in mountain biking, cyclist.

For the casual cyclist, mountain biking is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors as well as get a great work out. Today, mountain biking is growing rapidly into an excitingly popular sport. With that growth arises an entirely new subculture of mountain bikers who race professionally.

Every year there are hundreds of events and races organized across the nation for mountain bike enthusiasts. These endurance races are generally for those in the absolute top percentage of mountain bikers. It takes a certain amount of conditioning and performance to compete in endurance races as the competition itself is so demanding. There are plenty of different categories, but these races can be as long as 12 hours, taxing the limits of human endurance.

Types of Races

Of the many categories of endurance races, most are beyond the scope of normal cyclists’ physical limits. Starting at three hours these races only scale upwards, reaching six or even twelve hours in length. The shorter three hour races are separated by gender and occasionally by age groups, but the longer races often open up to include both genders and all age groups.

There are numerous formats for endurance races as well. Some races are strictly solo races such as the shorter races. However, as they get longer, endurance races include all combinations of team work and trade off riding, with teams of up to four riders.

Endurance races are highly organized much like the marathons many of the nation’s major cities hold annually and require registration and occasionally physicals. In addition to assuring the participants are physically capable of participating, these events often require a demonstration of certain safety equipment that meets particular regulations.

Safety Measures

Safety is probably the most important thing organizers see to when there is a race. In addition to making sure each rider is in acceptable physical condition and has the proper gear, mountain bikes themselves are often checked to ensure they are in top shape, with fully aired tires, tightened handlebars, and properly adjusted frames and shocks.

Prohibited materials on the bike are also carefully watched. Such prohibited materials include reflectors, kickstands, adjustable hubs, sound frames, true wheels and any personal media devices. All of these items are checked for and expected to be removed before the race starts.

Finding Endurance Races

Endurance mountain biking is a high level addition to the sport of mountain biking. For that reason, if you are interested in getting involved, you should try and contact your local mountain biking association or club. They’ll have all the information you need to not only train for and prepare your bike for competition but the rules associated with the sport. There are numerous websites out there that cater to the crowd of endurance mountain bikers if you are looking for more information.

For anyone who has just gotten into mountain biking endurance racing might be a bit too much for you yet. However, you’ll find that in time you’ll be looking for a bit more of a challenge, and these longer more intense races might be just the thing you’re looking for to push your limits and test your physical conditioning. If you’re serious about endurance racing, take the time necessary to research and get in the shape necessary to compete in these races.

Article Source: http://articlekarma.com

Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor sports magazines and a contributing writer for angel paintball guns specializing in mountain biking, cyclist.

Discusses the nine kinds of mountain biking and the types of mountain bikes used for each kind.

There are nine different kinds of mountain biking, each offering its own unique type of thrill or enjoyment. BMX biking is on small, nimble bikes with 20 inch wheels. These bikes are used for jumping and are usually used at a skate park, or in an area that has dirt mounds to jump off. Their small size and and short wheel base makes them perfect for performing biking stunts and tricks.

A cross country mountain bike is perfect for riding on hills and through uneven terrain. It’s an easier sport than BMX biking, but most cross country bikers like to travel long distances, as a cross country runner would do. This keeps these bikers as fit as cross country runners as well.

Cyclo cross biking is a combination of road biking and mountain biking. The sport involves a course that covers both on and off road sections. The course may contain water crossings and other obstacles as well.

Dirt jumping is a kind of mountain biking that is done on large man made mounds of dirt. While they are aerial in the middle of the jump, the biker will attempt to perform tricks and spins in the air. The mounds are placed relatively close together, so the biker builds up more speed and height on each subsequent jump.

Downhill mountain biking is just that: a race to bike down a hill as fast as possible. This is a a very strenuous but thrilling sport, since travelling downhill on mountain bikes at high speeds over uneven terrain is very difficult and dangerous.

Free mountain biking means the biker hugs the contours of the mountain to find the best route to the bottom. This is a very popular sport since each biker has his own style to express and it is fun to watch the various ways they do so.

Single speed mountain biking uses the simplistic approach to mountain biking. The bikes are designed with only one speed and very few moving parts, yielding an ultra light bike that relies solely on the strength of the biker, rather than a mechanical advantage. Street or urban mountain bikes are used in the city, almost like a skateboard. Urban mountain bikers use railings, ledges and other features of the urban landscape to perform their tricks such as “stalls” and “grinds”. Time trial position is something everyone would like to know about. Trail mountain biking uses a very low framed bike with small wheels. This allows the biker to jump the bike over obstacles. This is a difficult mountain biking sport, requiring a good sense of balance and a high degree of concentration.

Alison Addy publishes articles for www.bikecyclingreviews.com .Keep reading about time trial position and cycling at his web.

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com

You’ve decided to take up the exciting and challenging sport of mountain biking. Unlike casual biking, you need much more than just a helmet to ensure that you have a safe ride as you hit the trails.

Mountain biking is such a popular sport that there is now a vast range of accessories for both men and women. Make sure you do a bit of research on each item you want to purchase to make sure you buy the best quality for the amount of money you want to spend.

Bike helmet
We may be listing the bike helmet as an ‘accessory’ but it really isn’t. It is a necessary piece of equipment. In mountain biking, it is not a question of if you’re going to fall, it’s a question of when. And when you take a header over your handlebars, having a secure helmet on your head could well save your life. Although you can buy most accessories second hand if you so desire, the bike helmet is something that you want to buy brand-new, and make sure that it fits your head properly. And if you do have an accident in which any damage occurs to the helmet, the wisdom is that you should purchase another one. One accident per helmet – that’s the rule.

Eye protection
Have you ever been riding on the road and been passed by a car that sends up a spurt of gravel at you? If any of that gets into your eyes, you have to stop immediately to clear your vision. If you’re on a trail heading downhill at a breakneck pace, and a baleful bee takes that opportunity to hit you in the eye, the following seconds could end up being very uncomfortable. Glasses or sunglasses are one solution, but the best method is to wear goggles. Whatever you get, make sure that lenses are non-breakable.

Hydration system
It’s common sense to bring a water bottle with you when you go out on a trail ride. It’s very easy to get dehydrated which brings your energy right down. However, in order to drink from your water bottle you have to take your hand off one of the handles, and there are sometimes when you don’t want to do that. A hydration backpack is a good solution. As a backpack you can put all kinds of necessary inside it, and when you need a drink you just reach over with your mouth to the bite valve and take a sip.

Mountain bike shorts
These days bike saddles are a lot more comfortable than they used to be. There are saddles made especially for women as well as men, and you can purchase gel-filled saddles that make the hours you spend on your bike a bit more comfortable. But you’ll also want padded bike underwear and padded bike shorts, just for extra comfort.

Mountain bike gloves
If you fall off your bike (or should that be, when), your hands will probably be the first thing to hit the ground – either a paved road, a graveled road, dirt, mud, bushes…all sorts of hazards that can rip up your hands unless they’re properly protected. Gloves serve another purpose as well, of course. If you’re heading down the trail your hands will get sweaty which could cause problems keeping your hands on your bike grips. Wearing gloves eliminates that problem.

Mountain biking shoes

These days there’s a shoe made for every sport under the sun, including that of mountain biking. The main difference in mountain bike shoes is the type of sole – designed for the different types of pedals out there: with clips or clipless. The clipless type of pedal requires that your shoes be fitted with special cleats. The shoes need to be durable and comfortable.

Trail repair kit
Regardless of what type of biking you do, it always makes sense to carry a bicycle repair kit with you. However, you can ‘get away’ with not carrying one if you ride on the streets of your city. You’ll just be a phone call away from someone who can come and help you if you have a flat, after all. It’s not that easy if you’re out in the woods and your cell phone doesn’t work. Always have a a multi-tool designed for bike repair, tire levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat tires. However, having a repair kit will do you little good if you don’t know how to use the tools! So make sure that after you purchase your kit you familiarize with each of the tools and how to use them! It’s easy once you know how.

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Alastair Hamilton is a syndicated writer of www.bikecyclingreviews.com . If you would like more information on this topic please checkout his website at mountain bikes

Mountain biking is an ever increasing popular sport that can be found around the world. As with any sport, mountain biking can cause injuries, these can range from minor to severe. Learning what causes mountain biking injuries and how to prevent them can help participants safely maneuver through this highly energetic sport.

Like other sports, it is important to have the correct equipment when mountain biking. If you are a novice, learning about what equipment can be used is an important first step in getting involved in the sport of mountain biking. The most important piece of equipment needed to prevent mountain biking injuries is a helmet. Selecting the perfect head gear is not always about finding the coolest looking helmet. Visit biking shops to discover what type of helmet will work best for you. Head injuries can be prevented when wearing the proper helmet.

Mountain biking injuries also occur when bikers become out of control on trails. Maintaining a controllable speed will prevent mountain biking injuries from occurring because of loosing control of a bike. This is probably one of the most common accidents that occurs during mountain biking. Mountain biking injuries can be prevented by being cautious on trails, keep you bike in control.Mountain biking injuries can also occur due to accidents on the trail. It is not uncommon to fall while riding on trails. When on trails, stop and check out the terrain. Often, unexpected drops can occur and bikers learn ways to move through these bumps and changes in land. Experience is the best teacher in learning how to avoid mountain biking injuries.

Start out with beginner trails and paths and work your way up to the more difficult trails. Mountain biking is a learning processes, take the time to learn how to use the bike and avoid injuries. Mountain biking injuries can be as simple as cuts and bruises to the more severe broken bones. Shoulder injuries seem to be a common problem among mountain bikers. Landing on the shoulder after a spill can result in damage to the shoulder. A physician should always be consulted if an accident does take place. Mountain biking injuries can take several weeks to recover from, and pushing yourself to recover is one of the worst things a cyclist can do. Take the time to fully recover from any mountain biking injuries and make sure your body is ready for the next adventure. Mountain biking injuries do happen, make sure to have a good helmet and carry a first aid kit in case of emergencies.

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